1. Informal meeting of EU Water Directors
DRAFT MANDATE ON “WFD AND HYDROMORPHOLOGY”
London
28-29 November 2005
Gilles Crosnier
European Commission, DG Environment
Unit D.2 – Water and Marine, WFD Team

2. Why a specific CIS activity?
WFD characterisation – a high proportion of surface water bodies are at risk of failing to meet the “good status” due to hydromorphological pressures
A high percentage of SWB provisionally identified as HMWB
Amongst the main driving forces: hydropower, navigation, and flood protection.

3. Main objectives of the activity
Extent of the hydromorphological pressures and impacts resulting from human activity
Identification of the potential areas of conflicts between the policies
Recommendations for reconciliation using existing or new instruments and measures
Focus on navigation, hydropower and flood protection in phase I (2006)

4. 2 different types of approach
A technical activity targeted at the identification of good practice in relation to restoration and mitigation measures
A political activity targeted to policy recommendations for a better integration between the different policies
Both activities will be co-ordinated by a strategic steering group

5. Work organisation Leaders for each activity (GE, UK, EC)
A strategic steering group will assist the leaders (letter to the WD and the SCG stakeholders to constitute the group)
Specific workshops will allow all the interested MS and stakeholders to express their views (The Prague workshop on 17-19th October 2005 was the first one)

6. Links with other working groups
ECOSTAT regarding the definition of GEP
Stakeholder meeting EU flood action programme
WFD & Agriculture